Fandoqlu Forest

Iran has many forests that provide an excellent opportunity for nature enthusiasts to spend a few hours walking there in a pristine landscape.

One of the most remarkable forests in Iran is the Fandoqlu Forest in Ardabil province, which considered as the most tourist forests in Iran due to a colorful flower plain, fruit trees, ski resort, gondola, hot water spring, waterfall, diverse animals and cold weather. 

Fandoqlu Forest is located in the highlands of Ardabil near the city of Namin. This forest somewhat different from the other ones in Iran because of its eye-catching plains, varieties of wild hazelnuts and hot water springs. Fandoqlu Forest is located at an altitude of 1500 meters and benefits from a pleasant and delicious climate. So it is an ideal place to jump from the summer heat. In this forest, you have 4,000 hectares of pristine nature to explore in its magnificent landscape and enjoy its atmospheric climate.

As you can get from the name of Fandoqlu Forest, the most crop you can find there is wild hazelnut, and that is why this forest is called Fandoqlu. About a quarter of this forest covered with hazelnut trees. It is interesting to know that, hazelnuts in this forest are so diverse that a research center has been constructed to identify them. Of course, only hazelnuts are not found in this forest, and other fruit trees like wild apples, raspberries, Common medlar, strawberries, and Reine Claude Verte can be found. The trees of this forest, which are considered as forest species, can be found in beech, oak, Carpinus betulus, Quercus castaneifolia and so on.

The unique features of this forest are the colorful flowery plains that make it one of the most sought-after forests in Iran. In this forest apart from chamomile, you can see some of the world's rarest flowers such as Lilium ledebourii that can increase the number of tourists in this area.

One of the stunning attractions of this forest is Chamomile Flower Festival, which it holds every year on 24th and 25th of June. On this day, the World Day of Flowers and Plants, many tourists travel there to observe the several hundred acres of Chamomile plains. 

Apart from the various vegetation, one of the features of this landscape is the diversity of animal species. In this forest, animals like rabbits, foxes, wild pigs, hoopoe, Lark live there. Even a few years ago, eight red deer were left in the forest to expand their populations.

Ardabil is famous for having many hot water springs with health benefits. Fandoqlu Forest has a hot water spring which is known to all as Mash-e Souyi. It has led many Eco-tourists to choose there for camping every year.

One of the attractions of this forest is the Fandoqlu-Heyran gondola lift, which is one of the most well-known tourist attractions of this area for the picnic and tourisms.

Fandoqlu Forest amenities are so much that you can even stay the night. Even if you choose the winter season to come to this forest, you will have an equipped ski resort that you can try for this exciting and winter recreation. A grass ski resort is also available for the warm season.

What is the best time to go?

Fandoqlu Forest is located at high altitudes and in cold regions. So, it is freezing in the winter and cold in the summer. The best time to travel there is spring and summer, especially during these two seasons, the famous flower plain in this area flourishes and display a delightful and eye-catching nature.

Getting there?

Fandoqlu Forest is located 30 km from Ardabil and 10 km from the city of Namin. Although there are many ways to reach this forest, the best way to provide a smooth and paved path is to drive the Ardabil-Astara road. On this route, take Ardebil to Astara, and before you reach the Namin city, you will see the signpost of Fandoglu Forest that guides you there. Another way to reach this forest on the Ardabil road to Tehran is from the Heyran pass, which passes through the beautiful village of Gildeh.